Volume 2: Chapter 15, The Right of Emergency Defense Summary and Analysis

The end of World War I and the armistice basically relegates Germany to a position of submission. The giving up of arms always has serious consequences. It is not just a loss of honor.

When the monarchy collapses in 1918, the only concern of the French is to get the Germans out of France and Belgium. Neither England nor France is interested in the dissolution of Germany. The disarmament terms of the peace treaty leads the French to think that Germany will be shattered. They think there will be ensuing economic pressures within the country that will help accomplish this goal. The purpose of the occupation of the Ruhr is to demoralize the German people and economy, even though the French breach the Versailles Treaty with the move into the...